A Game with a Purpose
The sixth annual CBT Valley Alumni Basketball Tournament descended on Seymour High School this weekend, turning the gymnasium into a hub of basketball action and community spirit.
The event featured a high‑school all‑star game that pitted the best local seniors against each other, with former cancer survivor Natalie Ramadanovic serving as head coach for one of the squads.
Coaches and Teams
Ramadanovic, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in August 2025 and entered surveillance treatment last October, now channels her experience into guiding the team she calls Team Nat. She shares the sidelines with veteran coach Joe Carrafiello, who leads the opposing side known as Team Carf.
Competing in the all‑star showcase are standout players such as Weston Ahearn, Malachi Kinchen, Jordan Nakhoune and Kyrhan McNeil, each representing schools from across the region including Ansonia, Naugatuck, Derby, Shelton, Woodland and others.
A Cause Bigger Than the Game
Beyond the buzzer‑beating, the tournament serves as a fundraiser for Seymour Pink, a nonprofit dedicated to breast‑cancer awareness, and for Ashlee Donofrio‑Jimenez, a nurse battling the disease. Donation drives run throughout the day, inviting spectators to contribute to these vital efforts.
Organizers also partnered with the National Cancer Institute and Griffin Hospital, leveraging their networks to amplify the message that early detection and community support can change outcomes.
Naugatuck, the two‑time defending champion, entered the competition with high hopes, but the true victory was measured in the generosity displayed by attendees and the solidarity shown for those fighting cancer.
The day concluded with a celebration of resilience, as families, players and volunteers came together to honor survivors and remember those lost, proving that sport can be a powerful catalyst for change.